Students who began working as a Teacher's Aide or as a Teacher on a Provisional or Temporary Authorization Certificate during or after Spring semester 2006 will be required to meet criteria and follow the process established at Missouri State University by the Professional Education Committee (PEC) during the 2004-05 Academic Year.
1. Both undergraduate students and post-baccalaureate student (seeking certification only), some of whom may be teaching under a provisional, special assignment, or temporary authorization certificate, will be eligible for this option toward certification only if they meet all conditions as outlined in DESE Rule 5 CSR 80-805.040. Advanced programs with initial certification will handle requests by students to apply this rule on an individual basis and are, therefore, not subject to these recommended policies and procedures.
2. At least two (2) years Teacher's Aide/Assistant experience will be required for this rule to apply, and will be defined as completing a minimum of 20 hours per week as a Teacher's Aide/Assistant for the entire fall and spring semesters of two consecutive years. Students in programs which require clinical experience at two grade levels (such as the K-12 certifications) or in two content areas (such as Middle School certification) must demonstrate at least one (1) year Teacher's Aide/Assistant experience at each of the two grade levels and/or each of the two content areas. If these students’ two year's experience is at the same grade level and/or same content area, then an additional 2-hour practicum in that second grade level or content area may be required by the program.
3. The student application process, and subsequent determination of eligibility to receive credit for two (2) years of Teacher's Aide/Assistance experience, will be centralized through the Teacher Certification and Compliance Office. The program Department Head, Coordinator of Teacher Certification, Coordinator of Educational Field Experiences, Director of COE Student Services and PEU Head will all assist in the determination of eligibility.
How Do I Know if I Qualify?
You may qualify for credit for student teaching if your experience meets all of the criteria described on the "Teacher's Aide Rule" page.
How do I Apply for Student Teaching Credit?
If you believe you meet all of the criteria for student teaching credit, you need to submit the following:
1. Write a letter requesting permission to receive credit for student teaching utilizing the "Teacher's Aide Rule", and requesting permission to enroll in EDC199 during the first semester of work experience concurrent with your enrollment in education courses. This letter should include the following information:
- Dates of employment, schol district name, address and phone number
- Grade level and content area you will be teaching
- Name of supervising teacher (if teacher's aide) or cooperating teacher (if teaching on provisional) and how many years that person has been teaching in that school district as a fully certified teacher.
- Describe in detail your daily responsibilities. If you are teaching different subjects during the day, include all subjects and the amount of time each day you teach each subject.
- Describe any extra-curricular responsibilities you have at the school. Examples include: Lunch room duty, bus duty, playground duty, advising student groups, field trip supervision, professional development workshops and training, etc.
This documentation is typically several pages long, and must be complete and thorough to be considered.
2. You must also submit a letter of confirmation from your principal or supervising teacher stating that they have read the documentation you are providing and agree that you have accurately described your current responsibilities.
All documentation should be sent to:
Scott Fiedler - Certification Officer
Teacher Certification Office
901 S. National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897
You will NOT receive credit for any experience prior to the semester of application. Your request will be reviewed by the appropriate committee, and you will be notified in writing of your status.
If I Am Approved, What Happens Next?
If your request for credit is approved, you will be required to enroll in EDC199 and your department's 499 course to replace student teaching on your transcripts. You will also be required to meet with the Coordinator of Teacher Certification to develop a contract indicating how you will meet all of the prerequisites for the 499 course by the 4th semester you are teaching.
You will receive online permission to register for EDC199 during the semester your application was approved, and will be mailed a syllabus, course materials and instructions to start the course. This is a second block course. During EDC199, you will complete a journal of your experiences, log your teaching hours, and schedule a time for the Coordinator of Teacher Certification to visit you at your school, observe you in the classroom, and meet with both you and your principal to assure that you are getting appropriate support as a new Teacher's Aide or classroom teacher. Your final grade for this course will be determined based on the accuracy of the application materials you submit, your journal, and your demonstrated teaching ability.
You will then simply continue teaching for the next two semesters, concurrent with your enrollment in education courses. If you stop taking education courses at any time during your two years of pre-approved experience, you will be required to complete traditional student teaching.
During the last semester of your two years of approved experience, you will register for your departments version of EDC499. During that course, a faculty or staff student teaching supervisor will visit your school several times to observe you teaching.
EDC199 (2 credit hours) and Departmental Appropriate 499 course (4 credit hours) will replace student teaching on your degree audit and will fulfill your student teaching requirements.
If you have questions regarding credit for student teaching utilizing the Teacher's Aide Rule, please contact the Teacher Certification Office at 417-836-8772.